SYDNEY — On the second day of the decisive fifth Ashes test, English batsman Joe Root delivered a commanding performance with an unbeaten 138 runs, marking his second century of the series and providing stability for England amidst Australia’s aggressive bowling attack. At lunch, England stood at 336-6, with Root’s masterclass dominating the morning session at Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Australian bowlers, led by Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc, managed crucial breakthroughs to disrupt England’s middle order. Boland terminated Harry Brook’s impressive innings at 84 runs, ending a formidable 169-run partnership between Brook and Root that had threatened to shift momentum decisively in England’s favor. Shortly after, Starc claimed his fifth dismissal of English captain Ben Stokes this series with a nearly unplayable delivery that resulted in a faint edge detected by TV umpire review.
Root’s achievement carried historic significance, representing his 41st test century and placing him equal with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting on the all-time list of test centurymakers. Only cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45) have recorded more test centuries. This milestone marked just Root’s second Ashes century on Australian soil across four tours, replicating his unbeaten 138 in the Brisbane test earlier this series.
The pitch conditions showed signs of variable bounce as Root approached his century, creating tense moments in the nineties before he secured the milestone with a straight drive off Michael Neser. Jamie Smith contributed a valuable 46 runs before falling to Marnus Labuschagne’s part-time medium pace just before the break, following earlier reprieves including a dismissal off a Cameron Green no-ball.
England began Day 2 at 211-3 after weather interruptions curtailed play on Day 1. Despite already losing the series with Australia holding an insurmountable 3-1 lead, England seeks to build on their Boxing Day test victory—their first Ashes win in Australia since 2011—as they battle for pride in this final encounter.